U.S. patent number 9,468,294 [Application Number 14/613,340] was granted by the patent office on 2016-10-18 for structure of expandable corrugated storage shelf system.
This patent grant is currently assigned to BESTMATE INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPING CO., LTD.. The grantee listed for this patent is BESTMATE INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPING CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Kuang-Huan Fu.
United States Patent |
9,468,294 |
Fu |
October 18, 2016 |
Structure of expandable corrugated storage shelf system
Abstract
A structure of expandable corrugated storage shelf system
includes a support frame and coupling sleeves or retention plates,
or coupling sleeves and retention plates, arranged at side surfaces
of the support frame. The coupling sleeves each have an outer
surface on which symmetrically arranged engagement slots are formed
and convergent, through sloping, in a downward direction. The
retention plates each have a curved configuration are convergent,
through sloping, in the downward direction. To assemble, the
coupling sleeves of a plurality of support frames are respectively
fit to fixed rods to receive the retention plates of an adjacent
one of the support frames to fit into the engagement slots of the
coupling sleeves thereby connecting the plurality of support frames
together in a side by side manner or forming a corner configuration
and expansion of the storage shelf being made easy and being tidy
and organized after being connected together.
Inventors: |
Fu; Kuang-Huan (Yilan County,
TW) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
BESTMATE INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPING CO., LTD. |
Yilan County |
N/A |
TW |
|
|
Assignee: |
BESTMATE INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPING
CO., LTD. (Yilan County, TW)
|
Family
ID: |
56553641 |
Appl.
No.: |
14/613,340 |
Filed: |
February 3, 2015 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20160220022 A1 |
Aug 4, 2016 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B
96/021 (20130101); A47B 96/024 (20130101); A47B
57/34 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47B
96/02 (20060101); A47B 57/34 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;211/188
;108/147.13,190,192 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Hawn; Patrick
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Lei; Leong C.
Claims
I claim:
1. A structure of expandable corrugated storage shelf system,
comprising a first support frame that comprises a coupling sleeve
mounted thereto and a second support frame that comprises a
retention plate mounted thereto, wherein the coupling sleeve is
adapted to fit over an upright fixed rod to be retained thereon and
has a cylindrical outer surface on which symmetrically arranged
engagement slots are formed to be spaced from each other
circumferentially, each of two engagement slots being formed of a
suspending tab having an L-shaped cross-section that comprises a
support plate spaced from the cylindrical outer surface of the
sleeve in a radial direction and having two spaced vertical edges
opposite to each other and a connection plate substantially
perpendicular to the support plate and connecting one of the two
vertical edges of the support plate that is distant from the other
support plate to the outer surface of the coupling sleeve such that
the opposite one of the vertical edge that is adjacent to the other
support plate is spaced from the outer surface of the coupling
sleeve and is kept open, the support plate having a top edge that
is spaced from the outer surface of the coupling sleeve and being
kept open, wherein the connection plates of the two suspending tabs
are circumferentially spaced from each other to define therebetween
a receiving space and the connection plates are inclined toward
each other in a downward direction such that a circumferential
spacing distance between the connection plates is decreased from
top ends of the connection plates to bottom ends of the connection
plates, making the receiving space convergent in the downward
direction to be wider in the circumferential direction in a top end
and narrower in a bottom end; and wherein the retention plate has a
curved configuration corresponding to the cylindrical outer surface
of the coupling sleeve and receivable in the receiving space of the
coupling sleeve of the first support frame to have the first and
second support frames connected to each other and coupled to the
fixed rod, wherein the retention plate has opposite vertical edges
that are spaced from each other in the circumferential direction
and are sloping such that the vertical edges of the retention
plates are convergent toward each other in the downward direction
and respectively engageable with the connection plates of the
suspending tabs of the coupling sleeve of the first support frame
by means of the sloping thereof being substantially the same angle
with the inclination of the connection plates of the suspending
tabs of the coupling sleeve of the first support frame so that the
first and second support frames are connectable together for
expansion of the storage shelf.
2. The structure of expandable corrugated storage shelf system
according to claim 1, wherein the retention plates each comprise
two hooks extending horizontally and outwardly from upper ends of
the two opposite vertical edges thereof in such a way that the
hooks are positionable on the top ends of the connection plates of
the suspending tabs of the coupling sleeve.
3. The structure of expandable corrugated storage shelf system
according to claim 1, wherein the first support frame comprises
sides and corners jointing the sides and the coupling sleeves
mounted to the corners or outside surfaces of the sides of the
first support frame.
4. The structure of expandable corrugated storage shelf system
according to claim 1, wherein the second support frame comprises
sides and corners jointing the sides and the retention plate are
mounted to the corners or outside surfaces of the sides of the
second support frame.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to a structure of an
expandable corrugated storage shelf system, and more particularly
to a structure of an expandable corrugated storage shelf system
that, through an easy way of coupling to connect a plurality
support frames in a side-by-side manner, allows for easy assembling
and expansion of storage shelves through side-by-side arrangement
and provides a tidy assembled configuration.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
A conventional knockdown storage shelf generally has a structure
that is assembled as illustrated in FIG. 1, comprising a fixed rod
1, clamping plates 2, and a support frame 3. Grooves 11 are
provided on the fixed rod at a suitable interval by
circumferentially formed in a surface thereof. The clamping plates
2 each have an inside surface on which a retention rib 21 is
formed. The support frame 3 has a corner on which a coupling sleeve
31 is attached. To assemble, the clamping plates 2 are positioned
with the retention ribs 21 thereof fit into one of the grooves 11
of the fixed rod 1 and then, the coupling sleeve 31 is fit, in a
direction from top down, so that the coupling sleeve 31 clamp and
tightly loop around the clamping plates 2 thereby fixing the
coupling sleeve 31 in position and thus the support frame 3 is
coupled to the fixed rod 1 (where four fixed rods 1 are provided to
constitute the storage shelf). Balance is generally hard to control
in assembling the conventional storage shelf so that it is hard to
assemble with a single person. In addition, such a structure is
generally only good for forming a single storage shelf so that when
multiple storage shelves are arranged side by side for expansion,
they cannot be securely coupled and positioned with respect to each
other. Further, gaps exist between the storage shelves, making it
hard to keep the individual storage shelves in a tidy and organized
manner, and thus the outside appearance is poor. Unexpected
shifting may occur when these storage shelves are violently hit.
Thus, in view of these problems, the present invention aims to
provide a structure of an expandable corrugated storage shelf
system that allows for easy assembling and expansion through
side-by-side arrangement and provides a tidy configuration after
assembly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The primary object of the present invention is to provide a
structure of an expandable storage shelf system that allows
multiple storage shelves to be connected in a side-by-side manner
through simple coupling to achieve easy assembling and expansion of
the storage shelves through side-by-side arrangement and provides a
tidy assembled configuration.
The structure of expandable corrugated storage shelf system
according to the present invention comprises a support frame and
coupling sleeves or retention plates, or coupling sleeves and
retention plates, arranged at side surfaces of the support frame,
wherein the coupling sleeves each have an outer surface on which
symmetrically arranged engagement slots are formed, where the
coupling sleeves are made convergent, through sloping, in a
downward direction, and the retention plates each have a curved
configuration, where the retention plates are made convergent,
through sloping, in the downward direction. To assemble, the
coupling sleeves of a plurality of support frames are respectively
fit to fixed rods to receive the retention plates of an adjacent
one of the support frames to fit into the engagement slots of the
coupling sleeves thereby connecting the plurality of support frames
together in a side by side manner or forming a corner configuration
and expansion of the storage shelf being made easy and being tidy
and organized after being connected together.
In the above structure of expandable corrugated storage shelf
system, the engagement slots formed on outer circumferential
surfaces of the coupling sleeves are each formed in such a way that
the coupling sleeve is subjected to stamping to form in a
circumferential wall thereof horizontal U-shaped openings, which
are each gradually convergent, through side sloping, in a downward
direction and a portion of the circumferential wall is stamped off
as a partially separated plate with a connection left between the
separated plate portion and the circumferential wall of the
coupling sleeve, the connection being folded outward so as to form
an L-shaped suspending tab, two such suspending tabs being arranged
in opposite directions to collectively define the engagement
slot.
In the above structure of expandable corrugated storage shelf
system, the retention plates each comprise two hooks extending
horizontally and outwardly from upper ends of opposite side edges
thereof in such a way that the hooks are positionable on top edges
of suspending tabs of the corresponding coupling sleeve.
The foregoing objectives and summary provide only a brief
introduction to the present invention. To fully appreciate these
and other objects of the present invention as well as the invention
itself, all of which will become apparent to those skilled in the
art, the following detailed description of the invention and the
claims should be read in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings. Throughout the specification and drawings identical
reference numerals refer to identical or similar parts.
Many other advantages and features of the present invention will
become manifest to those versed in the art upon making reference to
the detailed description and the accompanying sheets of drawings in
which a preferred structural embodiment incorporating the
principles of the present invention is shown by way of illustrative
example.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an exploded view showing a conventional storage
shelf.
FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the present invention.
FIGS. 3 and 4 are top plan views of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a schematic view illustrating assembly of the present
invention.
FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating coupling engagement between
a coupling sleeve and a retention plate of the present
invention.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a storage shelf according
to the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a schematic view illustrating one arrangement of
expansion of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a schematic view illustrating another arrangement of
expansion of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The following descriptions are exemplary embodiments only, and are
not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of
the invention in any way. Rather, the following description
provides a convenient illustration for implementing exemplary
embodiments of the invention. Various changes to the described
embodiments may be made in the function and arrangement of the
elements described without departing from the scope of the
invention as set forth in the appended claims.
Referring collectively to FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, which are respectively
an exploded view and top plan views of the present invention, as
shown in the drawings, the present invention comprises a support
frame 4 and coupling sleeves 5 and retention plates 6, or
alternatively, coupling sleeves 5 or retention plates 6, which are
arranged at four corners, alternatively at corners and outer
surfaces, of the support frame 4. The coupling sleeve 5 is in the
form of a hollow cylindrical configuration and has an outer
circumferential surface on which at least one engagement slot 51 is
formed. In the instant embodiment, the engagement slot 51 is formed
in such a way that the coupling sleeve 5 is subjected to stamping
to form in a circumferential wall thereof a horizontal U-shaped
opening 52, which is gradually convergent, through side sloping, in
a downward direction. A portion of the circumferential wall is
stamped off as a partially separated plate, where a connection is
left between the separated plate portion and the circumferential
wall of the coupling sleeve 5. The connection is folded outward so
as to form an L-shaped cross-section so that the separated plate is
supported by the L-shaped connection to form a suspending tab 53
having an L-shaped configuration. Two such L-shaped suspending tabs
53 are formed to face opposite directions and the engagement slots
51 that are convergent, through side sloping, in the downward
direction. The retention plate 6 has a curved configuration that
corresponds to the cylindrical configuration of the coupling sleeve
5 and is made convergent, through side sloping, in a downward
direction. Two hooks 61 are formed on and extend horizontally from
upper ends of opposite side edges of the retention plate 6.
In the instant embodiment of the present invention, four coupling
sleeves 5 are respectively set at the four corners of the support
frame 4; alternatively, four retention plates 6 are respectively
set at the four corners of the support frame 4; or alternatively,
two coupling sleeves 5 are at two of the four corners of the
support frame 4 and two retention plates 6 are set at the remaining
two corners.
With the components described above, the coupling sleeves 5 of a
number of support frames 4 are respectively fit to fixed rods of
storage shelves in such a way that the engagement slots 51 of the
coupling sleeves 5 receive the retention plates 6 of the support
frame 4 at one side to be fit therein with the hooks 61 supported
on top edges of the suspending tabs 53 and the retention plates 6
are received into the coupling sleeves of the support frame 4 at an
opposite side, whereby through mutual coupling engagement between
the retention plates 6 and the coupling sleeves 5, a number of
support frames 4 can be connected together in a side-by-side manner
or forming a corner configuration. The assembly of the storage
shelf easy and efficient (for it can be easily kept balanced to
allow the assembly to be carried out by a single person) and allows
for multiple storage shelves to be connected in a side-by-side
manner for expansion and the expanded arrangement is made tidy and
organized.
Referring collectively to FIGS. 5 and 6, which are respectively a
schematic view illustrating the assembly of the present invention
and a schematic view illustrating coupling engagement between a
coupling sleeve and a retention plate of the present invention, as
shown in the drawings, assembling of the present invention can be
conducted in a way similar to that of the above described
conventional storage shelf shown in FIG. 1 by first having
retention ribs 21 of clamping plates 2 fit into a groove 11 formed
in an outer surface of each of the fixed rods 1 and then the
coupling sleeve 5 of one support frame 4 is fit in a top side down
manner to allow the coupling sleeve 5 to clamp and tightly loop the
clamping plates 2 so as to fix the coupling sleeve 5 in position.
The retention plate 61 of another support frame 4 that is located
at one side is then fit into the engagement slots 51 of the
coupling sleeve 5. Since the engagement slot 51 is made convergent,
through sloping, in a downward direction and the retention plate 6
is also made convergent, through sloping, in the downward
direction, the retention plate 6, after being properly fit into the
coupling sleeve, is securely fastened to each other due to the
sloping and convergence (allowing for sliding upward only and
preventing further downward sliding) with the hooks 61 supported on
top edges of the suspending tabs 53 so as to have a number of
support frames 4 connected together in a side-by-side manner. The
assembly of the storage shelf is easy and efficient and allows for
multiple storage shelves to be connected in a side-by-side manner
for expansion and the expanded arrangement is made tidy and
organized.
Referring to FIG. 7, a perspective view is given to illustrate a
storage shelf according to the present invention. Reference also
being had to FIG. 2, as shown in the drawings, after one unit of
storage shelf A according to the present invention is completely
assembled, in case that expansion or extension of the storage shelf
is required, it only needs to assemble another support frame 4 to
the fixed rods 1 in such a way that the retention plate 6 of the
support frame 4 is fit into the engagement slot 51 of the coupling
sleeve 5 of the storage shelf A. As such, the storage shelf A and
said another storage shelf A are connected in such a way that the
two storage shelves A are arranged side by side. Through such a way
of assembly, a plurality of storage shelves A can be connected to
provide unlimited expansion and the side-by-side arranged storage
shelves A show no gap therebetween, making them look tidy, and due
to the storage shelves A are tightly and closed fixed together and
are not unexpectedly shifted when hit or impacted to affect the
outside appearance thereof.
Referring to FIG. 8, which is a schematic view illustrating an
arrangement of expansion of the present invention. Reference also
being had to FIG. 2, as shown in the drawings, to assemble the
present invention, the retention plates 6 of each of support frames
4 are individually fit into the engagement slots 51 of the coupling
sleeves 5 of a next one of the support frames 4 (wherein one of the
support frames 4 comprises coupling sleeves 5 set at the four
corners thereof, while the remaining ones of the support frames 4
comprise coupling sleeves 5 set at two corners thereof and
retention plates 6 at the remaining two corners). As such, through
a simple and easy assembling operation, a plurality of storage
shelves 4 can be connected together with expansion being available
in a unlimited manner.
Referring to FIG. 9, which is a schematic view illustrating another
arrangement of expansion of the present invention. Reference also
being had to FIG. 2, as shown in the drawings, except the example
illustrated in FIG. 8, where a plurality of storage shelves are
combined to expand in a linear manner, another type of support
frame 4A is provided, wherein four corners and side surfaces of the
support frame 4A are respectively provided with coupling sleeves 5
and retention plates 6. In a similar way, the retention plates of
each of a plurality of support frames 4 can be individually fit
into the engagement slots 51 of the coupling sleeves 5 of a next
one of the support frames 4 so that the support frame 4A allows the
plurality of support frames 4 to form an L-shaped corner
configuration of expansion, wherein one side of the support frame
4A can be made sloping to facilitate access to articles placed on
the storage shelf A.
The above examples are given to illustrate preferred embodiments of
the present invention, but not intending to limit the scope of the
present invention. Minor modification and alterations, which are
made without departing from the gist of the present invention, are
considered within the scope of the present invention.
In summary, the present invention provides a support frame that is
provided with coupling sleeves and retention plates, wherein the
coupling sleeves and the retention plates are respectively provided
with engagement slots and hooks, to constitute a structure of an
expandable corrugated storage shelf system, which allows for easy
and efficient assembly of the storage shelf and provides an easy
way of side by side arrangement and also makes the expansion that
is made through side by side arrangement tidier and more
organized.
It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or
two or more together may also find a useful application in other
types of methods differing from the type described above.
While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and
described and are pointed out in the annexed claim, it is not
intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be
understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and
changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in
its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without
departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.
* * * * *